TEHRAN, Iran, July 13
Trend:
Iran's honey export has declined to zero while the number of beekeepers workers has reduced due to coronavirus spread, said the managing director of the Union of Beekeepers of the country.
"Iran currently has surplus honey products, but foreign countries are not inclined to buy honey because it doesn't meet standards; thus, Iran's honey export reached zero," said Effat Raeisi Sarhadi, Trend reports citing ILNA.
"Iraq is one of Iran's major markets, but it has banned import of honey from Iran since January," the managing director added. "Iran's honey industry had significant growth in recent years. Total of 110,000 professional beekeepers operate more than 8.5 million bee hives."
"There is a need for policy to improve the industry. There is no standard price for honey, as it depends on many variables including the location of productions," he noted.
"Due to the coronavirus spread, the mandatory standards have not been implemented by Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran. COVID-19 has affected the industry, and there is a serious problem in hiring workers," he said.